Combined fire-screen and table.



No. 786,526. PATENT D APR. 4, 1905. v. P. SOLLOM.

COMBINED FIRE SCREEN AND TABLE. APPLIUATION FILED APR. 28, 1904.

UNITED STATES Iatented. April 4, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

COMBINED FIRE-SCREEN AND TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 786,526, dated April 4, 1905.

Application filed April 28, 1904. Serial No. 205,414.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VINCENT P. SoLLoM, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a -Combined Fire-Screen and Table, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a composite article of furniture designed to accomplish the twofold purpose of a fire-screen and a tea-table.

My object is to provide such an article of furniture as will enable guests to sit before a fire and be served with refreshments while being protected from the heat. At other times a screen is afforded which bears no external indication of the double function referred to.

Another object is to so construct the device as to afford a firm support for the table instead of the weak and flimsy supporting means with which folding tables are usually provided and to construct and arrange such supporting means in such a simple and convenient way as to enable the change from one form to the other to be quickly and readily made.

An embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device arranged as a fire-screen. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device arranged as a combined screen and table. Fig. 3 is a partial top plan with the cross-bar and standard shown in horizontal section on line 0 m of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of one of the frame-standards, the table, and a table-supporting bar. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of one of the frame-standards. Fig. 6 is a broken rear elevation of one of the frame-standards.

In referring to the drawings I call the elevations shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the front as distinguished from the opposite elevation toward the fire, which I call the rear.

The supporting-frame of the structure comprises the two end standards 1 1, having extended feet, the upper screen comprising the cross-bars 2 and 3 and intermediate panel 4 and preferably the two lower braces or crossbars 5 and 6. Just below the cross-bar 3 is pivoted in the standards 1 1 a leaf 7, which when in vertical position fits the open space between the bars 3 and 5 and, with the upper fixed structure, forms the normal fire-screen. This leaf can be raised to the horizontal position (shown in- Figs. 2 and 4) in order to form the table. This still leaves the upper screen-board intact, so as to protect the faces of those seated at the table.

I have provided a novel means for supporting the table which is exceedingly firm and strong and has the additional merit of extreme simplicity.

The cross-bar 3 is hollowed out longitudinally from each end a sufficient distance inwardly to form cavities, (shown at 8,) and the frame-standards are provided with perforations 9, which register with said cavities. In these cavities are normally concealed pins or bars 10. The ends project outwardly beyond the frame-standards, where they may become a part of the ornamentation of the structure. A diagonal hole 11 is formed in each frame-standard, which extends through but off the middle diagonal line, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to be hidden from ordinary observation. This is clear from Figs. 5 and 6, where the diagonal passage extends from the rear face of the square standard shown to the inner end face, leaving the exposed front and end faces unperforated.

IV hen the table is to be used, the bars 10 are withdrawn from concealment, the table raised, and then the bars passed through the diagonal passages and under the leaf, which they support firmly. The lower cross-bar 5 is preferably mortised through the standards and given an exterior finish like the ends of bars 10, or the face of each frame-standard at this point may be finished with a false handle, boss knob, or other form, like the projecting ends of the bars 10 above. This is in order to preserve a symmetrical appearance.

The device can be made of any desired material, such as ornamental hard woods, or of cheaper woods or other materials. No attempt has been made to express any degree of ornamentation 1n the drawings; but it is evident that the structure is susceptible of ornamentation to a high degree by means of standard and special designs and finishes and by carving, polishing, gilding, &c.

1 do not limit myself to the exact constructions herein described, and shown in the drawings, as I desire to avail myself of any modifications and equivalents that fall properly within the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Acombined screen and table, comprising end standards, a permanent structure connecting the tops of said standards together, said structure having cavities in each end thereof, a leaf hinged to the standards below said structure, removable leaf supporting bars supported in said cavities and holes in the standards for receiving said bars and holding them beneath the raised leaf.

.2. In combination with end standards, a cross-bar connecting said standards, and having cavities registering with holes in the end standards, a leaf hinged between said standards, a diagonal hole through each standard below the plane of the hinge, and bars normally concealed in said cavities, but adapted to be removed therefrom,and inserted through said diagonal holes beneath the raised leaf.

In testimony whereof I have aflEiXed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses, this 2d day of April, 1904.

VINCENT P. soLLoM.

Witnesses:

L. W. SEELY, M. R. SEELY. 

